There were a lot of strikeouts in last night’s Twins-Tigers game, many of which were called third strikes. This is not necessarily surprising given that Fransico Liriano and Justin Verlander were pitching, but it’s also likely that the ump was being a bit generous with the zone too. It happens.

Span apologized to Emmel, was reportedly mortified by his conduct and offered some seriously heartfelt “I’m sorry if kids were watching” words of contrition after the game, so my guess is that he won’t be disciplined for his little bat toss.

Span was right to complain. I watched that game and the umpire must have had a date later that evening because his strike zone went from normal to anything within 18 inches of the plate by the 8th inning when Span got rung.
If you watch the 9th inning, Mauer gets called out on the exact same pitch at least a foot off the plate. Mauer, however, kept his disgust over the call to himself save for a “you’ve got to be kidding me” look on his face as he stood there wondering how he just got called out.

Mauer is a catcher. They better sense than to argue balls and strikes. James Loney was ejected for arguing balls and strikes yesterday under similar circumstances. I don’t see what the big deal is in either case.

Or Mauer realized that his team was already down Span and Morneau, in a tight game and had an outfield consisting of Kubel, Cuddyer and Delmon Young and their combined UZR of -60 (just guessing, prob not to far off) with Harris at first and Casilla at third. They couldn’t afford to have Butera behind the plate…

So Emmel’s zone is 5 feet wide and when someone complains and calls him out for it, he uses the “think of the children” line to make him look like he’s in the right. Add him to the list of shitty umps if he wasn’t already. Angel Hernandez is going to need some more party hats.